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The color of concrete slabs used to make outdoor patios or pool surrounds is typically dull and boring. Yours doesn’t have to be. Staining outside concrete surfaces has become a popular means of customizing the look of the floor and beautifying outdoor areas. Staining is not difficult and requires only knowledge of how to pump a sprayer. However, preparation is the key to creating a look that will last for years. You should focus most of your attention on making the surface ready to accept the stain.

Preparing the Concrete Surface

1

Splash a little water onto the concrete to test if it is sealed. If the water absorbs, then no sealer is present. If it beads up, you must strip the sealer away.

2

Mix a stripping solution according to the manufacturer's instructions. Apply the stripper to the surface with a paint roller and leave it to penetrate the surface of the concrete for the length of time specified on the package. Rinse the surface with a power washer until no residue remains.

3

Sand off any paint from the surface using a floor-buffing machine fitted with 80-grit sandpaper. The sander should spin in a circular rotation and you must avoid sanding in one spot for too long.

4

Scrub with degreaser to remove grease and oil stains and clean the surface. Pressure wash the surface to remove all traces of the cleaning product and remove all dust left from sanding.

5

Allow the surface to dry completely. Drying time varies depending on humidity and may take several days.

6

Prime the surface with a primer that is compatible with the stain. For best coverage, roll on the primer with a 3/8-inch nap paint roller and follow all manufacturer's guidelines for mixing and curing.

Staining the Concrete

1

Mix all of your cans of stain in a pump sprayer to ensure an even, consistent color. Thin the stain according to the manufacturer's directions.

2

Set the sprayer to a spread rate of 250 to 400 square foot per gallon. Set the spray setting to “fine.”

3

Stain one 4-by-4-foot section at a time, spraying in even strokes and feathering the edges.

4

Roll the area with a 3/8-inch nap roller immediately to smooth out the application. This also spreads out any thick patches or drips that have formed while spraying.

5

Continue spraying and rolling 4-by-4 sections in this manner until the entire surface is stained. Leave the stain to dry for four hours.

6

Obtain a darker color by applying a second coat of stain with the sprayer set to a 400- to 500-square-foot-per-gallon speed rate. Spray in sweeping lines perpendicular to the lines in the first coat for the best coverage. Cure each coat for a minimum of four hours.

7

Seal the surface with a top coat to protect the surface if it will be walked on. This prevents premature damage from wear and tear.

Things You Will Need

Sealer stripping solution

3 paint rollers, 3/8-inch nap

Pressure washer

Floor-buffing machine

80-grit sandpaper

Degreaser

Stiff-bristle scrub brush

Concrete primer

Pump sprayer

Concrete sealer

Tips

Ideal temperature for staining is 50 to 90 degrees.

New concrete must cure for a minimum of 45 days before staining.

Do not walk on the surface for 24 hours after applying stain.

Do not park, drive over or place furniture on the surface for 72 hours.

Contact your local hazardous waste disposal program for pickup of the rags and leftover stain.

About the Author

Based in southern Virginia, Kristy Robinson has been writing for various websites since 2008. Her work focuses on tutorials and self-help articles. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from American InterContinental University.